And what better way to kick off the blog than with the unbelievably gripping NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks. There were few complaints about the quality and excitement of the NBA Finals in 2010, nor 2008 for that matter. But 2011 has raised the bar another notch.
After five tense, dramatic games, the Mavericks have edged into a 3-2 lead and now return to Miami with the chance to clinch the title. Games 2, 3 and 4 were decided by three points or less and fans have been treated to a string of stunning performances from Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki. Neither superstar deserves to be on the losing team.
Then there is the perplexing case of LeBron James – an assassin in the previous rounds against the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls but too often a bystander against Dallas. He has talked the talk – claiming it is ‘now or never’ – but his fourth quarter stats in this series tell their own story. LeBron has scored 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting across the five fourth quarters when the Heat needed him most. All the while, Wade has confirmed his status as team leader. Only two monster performances can save LeBron from a media storm.
Game 6 is as eagerly awaited as any game in recent memory. Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the other Maverick veterans have the chance to finally claim an NBA championship ring, burying the choker tag once and for all. Meanwhile, Wade, LeBron, Chris Bosh and the Heat organization are one loss away from a summer of relentless questions. From the parade last summer to Wade’s premature celebrations in Game 2, Miami will struggle to live it down if Dallas emerge victorious tonight, or Tuesday.
The stakes could not be higher. Game coverage to follow here tonight - and on Twitter (sportingview_27).
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